3 - Positive Constitutional Economics

Summary

This chapter analyzes a number of single constitutional traits such as the form of government, the structure of the state (unitary or federal), whether direct democracy institutions can be used, and so on. With regard to each of these (and many other) traits, their effects (economic and otherwise) are discussed first, followed by a discussion of possible determinants. Hence, it is for instance discussed why some countries have a federal structure whereas others have a unitary one.